Let’s make it a year to woo visitors
The year 1814 saw the end of a war, with Napoleon exiled to Elba. A century later, another started with the beginning of the war to end all wars.
Now, 100 years on, we still worry about countries posturing against others, so my first hope for 2014 is that it is a year when man has a desire for peace and a compassion for all.
This city has been a good example of how all cultures can live together and I applaud the many organizations that work hard to ensure we continue to enjoy sharing each other’s traditions, religions, languages — and food.
I can remember when trying ethnic foods here meant a taste of Italy, China or India. We are now blessed to be able to dine at a host of good international restaurants catering to locals and our visitors.
The attraction of visitors has a huge economic impact on Calgary, so I trust that before too long in this new year we will see a real working together of the partners in the tourism industry who have lately been at odds with each other.
It is imperative the Calgary Hotel Association, Tourism Calgary, Travel Alberta, Calgary Meetings and Conventions, Telus Convention Centre, Calgary Sports Tourism Authority — and their counterparts in Banff/Lake Louise — sing from the same song sheet.
Tourism Calgary has published a strategic plan for 2104-16 that calls for tourism revenues to reach $2.3 billion by 2020. That calls for a united effort.
Cindy Ady has done a fine job as interim CEO of Tourism Calgary, but that is a position that needs a permanent lead.
The National Music Centre and a reinvigorated Fort Calgary will be great visitor persuaders, adding to class attractions like the Calgary Zoo and Heritage Park, but we have to spend some marketing dollars to promote others like the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame that is still a relatively unknown national treasure — and one that can make heroes of grandparents taking the time to tour with their grandchildren.
In this column, at the beginning of 2013, I wished for an announcement to be made on the site and date for the construction of a new convention centre.
We have now been relegated to the position of 11th in size in Canada and we’re still looking for that decision to be made. I suggest it is one of the very impor- tant steps for visitor attraction as we continue to lose bids for the larger conventions and conferences.
This past year, our convention centre celebrated its 40th anniversary and it had to be held in the Fairmont Palliser Hotel as there was no room in its own facility. The last expansion brought the Hyatt Hotel to Calgary. A larger facility, airport expansion and more hotels downtown is still high on my wish list.
So is the new downtown library.
Among my holiday reading I enjoyed Stephen Hunt’s Herald column of advice to the designers. But he had to use a photograph of the Seattle Central Library as we have yet to find out what ours will look like. I thought the short list of architects was asked for a rendering but I can only assume all four were over budget. And although a partnership of Calgary’s Dialog and Swedish architect Snohetta was selected, we wait with bated breath to discover what it will look like behind City Hall.
And I still wonder what will happen to the current library building.
Another of my wishes is to see the dedicated group of people looking for a site for a public art gallery rewarded by being offered the former Centennial Planetarium.
This should be a busy year for new developments that will likely see a new cancer centre built at 16th Avenue and 29th Street N.W., a decision on plans for a new YWCA and a continued growth in the number of warehousing and distribution centres as well as the surprising need for more retail.
I’m glad to see Calgary Economic Development is continuing its courtship of China, although I wish it would renew our relationship with Daqing’s oil industry. China has certainly recognized this province and we welcome both the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and the Singapore-based United Overseas Bank to this city for a good start to the New Year.
I await the announcement of new Consuls General for Mexico and the People’s Republic of China and for the Ambassador of Ireland to choose a new honorary counsel — Laureen Regan would be perfect.
Have a great 2014.